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Blas Na Gaillimhe, A Taste of Galway, is a new initiative set up by a small group of city restaurateurs with the support of the wider community, as well as Galway county and city councils.
It has been developed to help promote its year-round food scene, with this month set to see a jam-packed schedule of food events and food stories of Galway with the Blas Na Bealtaine festival (A Taste of May).
Festival events will include Savour the Wild Atlantic Way, a five-course dinner highlighting producers along the Wild Atlantic Way (including Killary Mussels, Connemara spring lamb, fresh Atlantic cod, Irish cream liqueur and more).
The evening takes place on 18 May in Tom Sheridan’s Bar and Restaurant, Knocknacarra (€49.95 per person).
Also taking place on 18 May is With Cheese Please: Galway Food Tours Gets Cheesy!
This is a ‘meet the maker’ evening where Teresa Roche of Kylemore Cheese will speak about her journey, while attendees sample some of her cheeses.
Wine pairing
Galway Food Tours will then take attendees on a short walk to one of Galway’s favourite restaurants for a dinner with wine pairing. The evening will finish with a nightcap in a local bar (€100 per person).
There will also be an Irish cheese and piedmontese wine tasting and talk at Sheridan's Wine Bar on 24 May (€50 per person).
Another event called Feeding European Young Minds, which will be hosted by Kai Restaurant, will take place on 26 May in Massimo's Soul Garden (€55 per person with proceeds donated to The Student Pantry at the University of Galway).
Other events include A Taste of Galway Bay at Galway Bay Seafoods (27 May, €15 per person; proceeds donated to the RNLI) and a biodiversity walk at Beechlawn Organic Farm in Ballinasloe (also 27 May; €10 per adult, €5 per student) and a pop-up bao bar at Aniar Restaurant on 28 May.
Weekend escape
Connemara Retreats is also planning a weekend escape entitled Indulge Your Senses In South Connemara. This is in partnership with Galway County Council and will take place on 19-21 May in Lettermullen.
Commenting on this new network and month-long celebration, founding member and restaurant owner JP McMahon said: “Blas Na Gaillimhe, the new food network for Galway, grew out of the previous Galway Food Festival initiative [and was launched] as a way to cement Galway’s vibrant food and hospitality scene.
"It hopes to build on the legacy created by the previous food festival and establish a fertile space for future food enthusiasts. We see Blas Na Bealtaine as being an integral part of that vision and hope every year that the May festival gets bigger and better.”
For details on all events and booking information, please visit www.atasteofgalway.com or email info@atasteofgalway.com.
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